Middlesbrough's Aden Flint hopes Riverside return can kick-start side's season ahead of Bolton clash

Middlesbrough defender Aden Flint can't wait to play at the Riverside again ahead of back-to-back home games against Bolton and Swansea.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Sep 2018, 19:36 BST
Updated 18th Sep 2018, 19:42 BST
Middlesbrough defender Aden Flint.Middlesbrough defender Aden Flint.
Middlesbrough defender Aden Flint.

Boro's last league game on home turf came on August 24, when they defeated West Brom courtesy of Daniel Ayala's last-minute winner.

Since then, Tony Pulis' side have suffered their first defeat of the season, after going down 1-0 at Norwich on Saturday, but Flint is determined to put things right when Bolton make the trip to Teesside tomorrow night - and believes the Boro fans can play a key part this campaign.

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“I’ve always enjoyed playing there (The Riverside) as an opposition player, but it’s even better when you’re playing as a home player,” he said.

“The place can be rocking when we’re doing well, which we have been this season, so hopefully we can continue that on Wednesday and for the rest of the season.”

Boro will play six times in the next three weeks, finishing with a home game against Nottingham Forest on October 6.

Flint knows the next few matches represent a real opportunity for Boro to bolster their chances of gaining promotion, and hopes his side can build some momentum ahead of a congested run of fixtures.

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“It’s a quick turnaround so we can go straight away again playing Bolton on Wednesday and then a massive game against Swansea on Saturday.

“But we’ve got Bolton first, prepare for that one and hopefully kick-start a little run again.”

The central defender has become a popular figure since his arrival from Bristol City in the summer.

Flint has started every game in the Championship this campaign, becoming a stalwart in Boro’s three-man backline, alongside Ayala and Dael Fry.

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Pulis also has the option of throwing new signing Danny Batth into the mix, following the centre-back’s arrival on a season-long loan from Wolves on Deadline Day.

At the other end, towering forward Rudy Gestede has returned to first-team training after missing the start of the season with an ankle injury.

Bolton are unbeaten away from home this campaign but have lost two of their last three league games following a promising start.

Related topics:Tony PulisBoroMiddlesbroughSwanseaBolton